Train Kills Robbers` Pursuer

The manager of a Near North Side fast food restaurant was struck and killed by a Chicago Transit Authority train Sunday after chasing two men who had snatched a customer`s purse, police said.

Larry McCaleb, 31, of South Bishop Street, assistant manager of the Burger King at Chicago Avenue and State Street, jumped over the counter and ran after the purse snatchers, chasing them into the CTA subway station just outside the restaurant doors, said Sgt. Thomas Fimmin of the Belmont Area violent crimes unit.

He chased the two onto the platform and the southbound tracks to appoximately Grand Avenue, where he stopped, Fimmin said. McCaleb was struck by the train when he emerged from one of the niches in the tunnel, Fimmin said.

McCaleb`s body, which was found between the first and second cars of the four-car train, was carried about 150 feet before motorman John Kearn was able to stop, police said.